Sicily
This woodblock map of the Kingdom of Sicily is an evocative early depiction of the island. Drawn in Munster's distinctive style, it skillfully combines geographical accuracy with artistic embellishments. The map captures Sicily, extending from Calabria and the southern tip of Italy in the north to the coast of North Africa, including Carthage and Sousse, in the south.
Sicily's topography is well represented, with its mountain ranges depicted in vignette form. Mount Etna, the island's most famous volcano, is prominently illustrated in an active state. Key cities, including Palermo, Agrigento, Syracuse, and Catania, are labeled, while four rivers flowing from the mountains to the sea highlight Sicily's fertility and agricultural productivity. One of the most striking visual elements is the large vignette of a ship at the bottom. This maritime scene underscores Sicily's role as a naval hub in the Mediterranean.
Naples
Munster's Neapolis offers a bird's-eye view of one of Europe's most influential cities at the time. Seen from the Bay of Naples, the city's fortifications, churches, and bustling port illustrate its status as a major economic and cultural center. During the 16th century, Naples was under Spanish rule, and its urban expansion reflected both medieval and Renaissance influences.
The map highlights the city's strategic coastal location, its fortresses, and natural barriers that shaped its defensive structure. Naples was one of the largest cities in Europe at the time, and this map provides an early visual representation of its urban grandeur.
Sardinia
Munster's map of Sardinia is one of the earliest detailed cartographic depictions of the island, solidifying his reputation as a pioneer of 16th-century mapmaking. This hand-colored woodcut focuses on Sardinia, while also depicting the southern part of Corsica, including the notable town of Bonifacio.
The map vividly conveys the island's rugged terrain, using vignette illustrations of mountains, rivers, and towns. Major cities such as Cagliari, Oristano, Bosa, Alghero, and Sassari are represented pictorially as clusters of buildings. On the northwestern coast, Castru Aragonen (modern Castelsardo) is prominently labeled, underscoring its historical importance as a Genoese fortress later controlled by the Crown of Aragon.
The title banner on the map, a hallmark of Munster's cartographic style, enhances both its visual appeal and readability.
Cagliari
Munster's Cagliari offers a rare and detailed 16th-century city plan of Sardinia's capital. Enclosed within its fortified walls, the city's layout is meticulously illustrated, emphasizing architectural and defensive structures.
This map belongs to an early category of city maps, with a lettered key identifying important buildings corresponding to descriptions in the main text. Wide streets, ancient buildings, and the city's port are clearly depicted. The harbor, a vital hub for trade and maritime activity, is animated with two anchored ships. Beyond the city walls, open fields and parish churches provide insight into the surrounding landscape.
Publication information
These maps originate from Sebastian Munster's Cosmographia Universalis, first published in 1544 and reissued multiple times until 1628. The maps of Sicily, Naples, Sardinia, and Cagliari were first introduced around 1550 and remained a fixture in all subsequent editions.
The Cosmographia succeeded Munster's earlier Geographia. Unlike the Latin-only Geographia, the Cosmographia was printed in German, Latin, French, and Italian, broadening its accessibility across Europe.